Would it be cheaper for four people to fly to Phoenix from Detroit, or drive there?

Question

My friends and I are thinking about going on a trip to Phoenix, Arizona either during Christmas break right after Christmas, or after school ends in June (even though it would be really hot). We live in southeast Michigan/northwest Ohio. If we flew to Phoenix, we would leave from Detroit Metro Airport, but I'm not finding any good deals at all on flights from Detroit. They are all in the $300-$450 range. My friends do not want to pay a lot for tickets, so I don't think they would go for that. Do you think it would be cheaper to drive to Phoenix from northwest Ohio, even with gas prices like they are? I realize it would take a long time to drive there, but we could see more of the country than we could if we flew. Do you think flying or driving would be cheaper?

Answer 1

If you drive straight through, no hotels, and do not buy your meals it is probably cheaper to drive.  Consider all the expenses, do the math.

Answer 2

For TWO or MORE people traveling together... it's cheaper to drive than to fly.